Pipe carrier



July 18, 1939. s. P. HULL Er AL.

PIPE CARRIER Filed Oct. 16, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 18, 1939. g, frt HULL, ET AL I v2,166,409

PIPE CARRIER. i

Filed Oct. 16, 19256 I5 Sheets-'Sheet 3 f@ @etz-5.10. 5 o 63 (y ATTORNEY v Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIPE CARRIER poration of New York Application October 16,

11 Claims.

This invention relates to fixtures for supporting pipes, rods and like members in such a manner as to permit free lengthwise movements of the members, as in systems for the actuation of railroad switches and signals; especially to socalled transverse pipe-carriers, by Which such operating members are supported at regions where they extend under the tracks; and more particularly to such carriers having supporting elements lagged to the ties of a railroad comprising several tracks,

Conventional forms of transverse pipe carriers, when used at mechanical interlockings for the support of pipe lines mechanically operating switches and signals, where such pipe lines cross under the tracks, from parallel lines of such pipes to the unit controlled, are supported on the ties and provided with rollers, but are generally nonadjustable. Track elevation, however, varies with respect to that of adjacent parallel tracks, and is changed frequently by the raising of the tracks, or to provide for different elevation of adjacent rails required by the curvature of the tracks.

Under such conditions, the use of non-adjustable roller carriers is far from satisfactory, as it is often necessary to provide for adjustments of one pipe entirely independently `off any other pipe in the series, and this can not be accomplished by any ready manipulation of the conventional pipe hangers, and in some cases a change of intrinsic unimportance involves a readjustment attended by inordinate disturbance of the associated structures. This can easily introduce an element of yactual danger into this very essential and sensitive part of the operating organization of a railroad system.

lt is, therefore, the general object of the present invention to provide va novel form of pipehanger with a plurality of roller carriers each adapted to support in free-running fashion a lengthwise movable operator pipe, rod orA like member, in such a system; and to provide an attachment means for each of said carriers by which the carriers severally can be *secured in various adjusted positions relatively to each other upon an upright part of said hanger, independently of each other, and each being removable from the hanger without disturbing the attachment of another carrier.

Another object of the invention is to provide for free-running of the pipe lines at all times by a novel organizationof roller supports so mounted adjustably upon the ties as to allow installation and adjustment tothe proper elevation with- 1936, Serial No. 105,854

out cutting into the ties and Without shimming up the pipe carriers. A cognate object is to provide means by which, when track elevation is changed after installation, the vertical position of the pipe line relatively to the bridging bracket or member lagged to the ties across the gap between ties, may be adjusted, without cutting ties, to compensate for changed elevation of track, and consequently to eliminate friction between the pipe line and its roller-carriers.

Still another object is to provide such mounting means as will permit the installation of the carrier and its support on adjacent ties regardless of ordinary variation in width of the inter-tie spaces usually encountered in making such installations, thus avoiding the need for re-spacing the ties; also to permit horizontal alignment after installment, made necessary frequently by the shifting of the ties in use.

Among other objects is to provide for supporting the rollers, where there is more than one run of pipe, with staggered centers upon their respective carriers, sc that the rollers and their journal pins can be removed readily, and Without loosening the carrier from the tie, as is necessary With the present standard fixed transverse pipe carriers when two pipe lines are supported side by side. Ordinarily, when two lines are so supported, they are at the same level but occasionally one of these pipes, due to the xed elevation of its end, has to be slightly above or below the adjacent pipe, and it is a further object of the present invention to provide for this adjustment.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description of the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention progresses, and the novel features will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail and the particular physical embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings and the several views thereon, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a View in vertical sectional elevation of a transverse pipe carrier forming part of a mechanical switch and signal system, and in which the present invention has been embodied; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the parts as shown in Fig 1, mounted upon adjacent ties of a railroad track; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section, and upon a larger scale, taken on the line III-III of Fig. l, the arrows at the end of the line indicating the direction in which the view is taken; Fig. 4 is a similar fragmentary detail view taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of a pipe hanger of modified construction, taken separately from the track structure, and on a larger scale than that shown in Fig. 1, the end portions of the bridging bracket being broken away, to save space in the drawings; Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation of the pipe hanger shown in Fig. 5; Fig. '7 is a fragmentary detail View in vertical section, taken on the line VII-VII of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail View in horizontal section on the line VIII- VIII of Fig. 5; Fig, 9 is a view in front elevation of another modification of the pipe hanger embodying our invention; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail view in vertical section on the line X-X of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is a view in vertical section on the irregular line XI-XI of Fig. 9; and Fig. 12 is a detail view in elevation of the roller-carrier member shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 9, without its roller, and separately from. the supporting structure.

In one particular physical embodiment of the invention selected for illustration and description, the parts designated respectively by the reference characters I I and I2 are railroad ties, laid in parallel. adjacent relation, spaced apart with a gap of desired width therebetween, the track rails being omitted, as unnecessary for a proper understanding of the invention. Upon these ties is lagged, as by lag-screws I3, a bridging bracket or member I4, which may be made of any suitable material, length and cross-section to serve the intended purpose of the invention. It is shown as having V-shaped ribs I5 extending below each end to prevent shifting thereof when lagged to the ties.

A slot I6 is provided at each end region, as shown in Fig. 2, transxed by one of the lag screws, to permit the bridge to be shifted lengthwise for adjustment prior to driving the lag screws home. The structure of the bridge at this medial region includes plate-like portions I1 and I8, disposed horizontally, so as to lie flat upon the ties, and to afford lateral rigidity; and it includes an upright standard, post or part, I9, formed in the instance illustrated as a web, integral with the bridge.

From the web I9 depends a series of hanger uprights 20, 2| and 22, referring more particularly tc Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, each serrated horizontally as at 23, and each having a longitudinal slot 24, terminated by a small web 25 at the ends respectively. Stiifening arches 26 act to brace the hangers, and also to constitute this portion of the bridge a sturdy support for the rollers 21, on which the pipe lines 29 and 30 are carried, in pursuance of the invention.

The rollers are disposed in staggered positions, relatively to the length of the pipe lines, and each roller is provided with its own yokeeshaped carrier member, as at 3I and 32. Each yoke has two arms, 33, and each arm has an orifice 34 (see Fig. 3) in which is journalled a pin 35, acting as a shaft for one of the rollers, the latter having grooved peripheries 36, conforming more or less closely to the contour of the pipes or rods carried thereby. Cotter pins 31 act to retain the pins 35 in place, and may be readily removed to permit withdrawal of one or more of the rollers and/or of the pipes, without disturbing the carrier yokes or any other part of the structure.

At 38 each of the yoke members is formed with a planiform web, suiiciently wide to overlap at each side the ribbed portions 23 of two of the series of slotted hangers. The web 38 of yoke 3I overlies the hangers 20 and 2l, and is secured adjustably in vertical relation thereto by bolts 39 transxing elongated slots 40a in the web 38. The yoke 32 is disposed at the other side of the bridge I9, and its web 38 is bolted thereto, as at 39. The pin 35 of yoke 32 (see Fig. 2) can be easily withdrawn and inserted, as occasion requires, without interference with a similar withdrawal and insertion selectively of the pin 35 of yoke 3l.

The webs 38 of each yoke have at their bolt holes 40 a ribbed or serrated inner face which is adapted to act in complement of the serrated faces 23 of the respective hangers, as illustrated clearly in Fig. 4. By this means the carrier roller for each pipe can be secured rigidly in any selected position throughout a wide vertical range of such positions, and diierences of level cncountered either at the time of installation, or at any time, in use, may be readily and rapidly cornpiensated for, to bring the pipes to the same level, or either of them to any desired level.

The yoke members 3| and 32 are shown as provided with web-like reinforcements 44, the contour of which can of course be varied as desired and found suitable.

In a now-preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, the feature of entire independence between the roller carriers, and therefore between the pipe lines, has been developed to an optimum extent, and in this embodiment of the invention, the bridge 4 is intended to be disposed upon adjacent ties, just as in the structure shown at I4 in Fig. 1, it being understood that the feet of the bridge 4 are broken away merely to save space in the drawings.

The web 9 in this form of the invention has fewer rows of serrated ridges, only four being shown at each side, as at 23.12, but these serrated ridges are so disposed that the clamping members 5 and 6 of the yokes R and R" respectively are severally of only sucient width to span each a pair of the serrated ridges 231:, and so do not interfere with each other in any adjustive position to which either of the yokes may be moved vertically.

It will be observed that it is thus easy to mount both of the yokes on the same side of the web 9, if the limitations of space should so require, inasmuch as when the yokes are at the levels occupied by them respectively in Fig. 5, either of the joui'- nal pins 34 may be withdrawn without interference by the other yoke with such withdrawal. It will be noted further that by this arrangement of the serrated ridges 23:1: on each side of the gaps 2, it has been made possible for the bolts B of the clamps to traverse the gaps, and as a consequence we have provided in this form of the device for withdrawal of each of the clamps bodily down through the open end of the appropriate gap 2. Without disassembling the clamp or removing it from the pipe.

In a modified form of the invention as shown in Figs. 9 to 12 inclusive, the bridge member 5.4, of which the middle portion only is shown, is to be considered as corresponding in essential respects with the similar part of the tructure illustrated in Figs. l and 2, and described with reference to those figures, so that it is not necessary to repeat said description of its structure and mode of installation upon the ties.

'I'his modification has been designed to afford a somewhat lighter form of structure, and also presents certain desirable qualities of compactness, simplicity ofY manufacture and economy in cost. It dilers from the earlier described forms of the hanger in that it has only a Single upright 55, the cross-section of which, as shown in Fig. 11, is substantially H-shaped, having at its four corners longitudinal ribs 56 and 5T, of which two are substantially rectangular in cross-section as 56, and are provided with serrations, as at 53, while the other two, as l, are rounded at their salient portion.

The carrier yokes for this type of hanger are all formed like that illustrated in Fig. l2, com prising a body or web 58 in the shape of a slab, pierced as at 59, to pass a hook-bolt 60, of which the hook portion is engaged, as shown in Fig. ll, with one of the rounded ribs 5l, the other end of the shank, as at 62, being threaded and fitted with a retaining nut 63, and a lock-washer 64.

The body 58 has a shoulder 66 extending along one edge thereof adapted to extend over the serrated edge 56, and along this shoulder is formed a series of teeth 65, .adapted to be engaged retentively with the serrated portion 55 of the upright 55. At the other side of the serrated ridge 56 a grooved buttress 61 is formed, one side of which lies against the face 52 of the upright, while the shank 6l of the hook-bolt fits into the groove 68, the parts thus fitted together constituting a very sturdy fitment, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

The entire fitment can be slipped on and off the upright 55 over its free end 50, without the need for .any disassembly of the hook-bolt from the clamp body, and thus there is less danger of any of the parts being lost. The roller R, in this form of the device, is journalled on a pin 34 secured in the yoke ends 5l by Cotter pins 31, as already described with reference to the other structures.

From the foregoing disclosure, it will be readily apparent that in each of the forms illustrated, the several structures shown provide fully for the accomplishment of the several objects set forth in the opening statement of the invention.

For example, whichever of the forms be used, if either tie, as Il, for example, be moved in either direction, i. e., toward the right or toward the left from the position shown, it is only necessary to loosen the appropriate lag screw I3, or if necessary, both of them, without disturbing the correct alignment of the pipes 29 and 3Q, in the system, and the 1re-adjustment to the new position of the tie can be effected. Either, or both, of the ties can be raised or lowered at will, and compensatory adjustment of one or both of the H yokes 3| and 32 can be effected by simply loosening either or both of the bolts 39, and shifting the yokes to correct position upon their hangers 20 and 2l, or 2l and 22, as the case may be, harving reference to the form of the device shot-n in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive. Then the bolts 39 vigl be tightened, no other change in the positions oi' the parts being ordinarily necessary. Keepers 4l, each with one serrated face to be engaged with serrations on the bridge web surfaces, may desirably be provided, and lock-washers 42, interposed between the keepers and the nuts 43, in usual fashion. Small lugs 4U may be provided to hold the bolt heads or nuts against rotation.

The operation of the form of the device illustrated in Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, and of the modification shown in Figs. to 12 inclusive has been indicated with suiicient clarity in the course of the description of those forms, so that further description thereof will not now be necessary.

VIt is to be noted particularly that .all necessary compensatory adjustments may be accomplished without cutting into the ties, or either of them, and without the need for using shims, wedges or any other loose form of level-adapter.

Although we have particularly described several particular physical embodiments of our invention, and explained the operation, construction and principle thereof, nevertheless we desire to have it understood that the forms selected are merely illustrative, and do not exhaust the possible physical embodiments of the idea of means underlying our invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A pipe-hanger of the class described: comprising a bracket member adapted to be secured to the upper face of a support, such as a railroad tie, .and having an integral upright carriersupport, a plurality of roller carriers each adapted to support a lengthwise movable device, such as an operator pipe or rod in a switch and/or signal actuating system; and an attachment means for each of said carriers by which the carriers severally can be secured in various adjusted positions relatively to each other upon said upright carrier-support, to dispose the carriers in selected vertical positions independently of one another, said upright carrier-support being constructed and arranged to extend rigidly into the space beside the tie and below the level of .a rail, with said attachment means and the roller-carriers.

2. A pipe-hanger of the class described: comprising a bracket member adapted to be secured to the upper face of a support, such as a railroad tie, and having an integral upright carriersupport, a plurality of roller carriers each adapted to support a lengthwise movable device, such as an operator pipe or rod in a switch .and/or signal actuating system; and an attachment means for each of said carriers by which the carriers severally can be secured in various adjusted positions relatively to each other upon said upright carrier-support, to dispose the carriers in selected vertical positions independently of one .another and each being removable from said support without disturbing the attachment of another carrier, said upright carrier-support being constructed and arranged to extend rigidly into the space beside the tie and below the level of a rail, with said attachment means and the roller-carriers.

f1. A pipe-hanger device of theclass described: said device comprising a bracket adapted to be secured at each end to spaced supports, such as adjacent railroad ties, bridging the space therebetween; said bracket being provided intermediate its ends with at least one roller carrier adapted to support below the rail level a lengthwise movable member, such as an operator pipe or rod in .a switch and/or signal actuating system; said device being characterized by means to permit adjustment of said bridge ends slidingly upon said support; and means to permit .adjustment of each roller carrier in the space between the ties, and below said rail level, to a selected fixed position with respect to said bridging bracket.

4. A pipe-hanger device as claimed in claim 3, in which a plurality of saidroller carriers are supported from said bridging bracket with removable means by which each roller carrier can be attached to said bridging bracket, adjusted vertically thereon, and removed therefrom, without interference with any other roller carrier, said bridging bracket being provided with means to permit its movement bodily with said roller carriers to shift the roller-carriers in the space between the ties laterally with respect to said ties, said bracket having sharp ribs on its lower face adapted to bite into the upper surface of the ties, when fitted thereto.

5. A pipe-hanger device as claimed in claim 3, in which `a plurality of said roller carriers are supported from said bridging bracket in staggered positions with removable means by which each roller carrier can be attached to said bridging bracket, adjusted vertically thereon, and removed therefrom, without interference with any other roller carrier, said bridging bracket being provided with means to permit its movement bodily with said roller carriers to shift the roller-carriers in the space between the ties laterally with respect to said ties, said bracket having sharp ribs on its lower face adapted to bite into the upper surface of the ties, when tted thereto; and lag screws adapted to transfx said ribbed bracket parts and enter the material of said ties, forcing said sharp ribs thereinto.

6. A pipe-hanger device comprising the bracket with carrier-supporting upright, and a roller carrier, combined and cooperating as claimed in claim 3 in which said roller carrier is constituted by a yoke member with a roller journalled in its arms, said yoke member having a serrated inner face adapted to be engaged with an upright serrated face upon said carrier-supporting upright; and means to clamp said yoke to said upright in any selected position of vertical adjustment.

7. A pipe-hanger device comprising the bracket with carrier-supporting upright, and the roller carrier elements combined and cooperating as claimed in claim 1, in which each roller carrier is constituted by a yoke member with a roller journalled in its arms, said yoke member having a serrated inner face adapted to be engaged with an upright serrated face upon said carriersupporting upright; and means to clamp said yoke to said upright in any selected position of vertical adjustment.

8. A pipe-hanger device of the class described: said device comprising a bracket adapted to be secured at each end to spaced supports, such as adjacent railroad ties bridging the space therebetween said bracket being provided intermediate its ends with a plurality of roller carriers each adapted to support a lengthwise movable member, such as an operator pipe or rod in a switch and/or signal actuating system; said device being characterized by means to permit adjustment of said bridge ends relatively to said support; and means to permit vertical adjustment of each roller carrier to a selected xed position with respect to said bridging bracket, said adjusting means for the bracket being constructed and arranged to permit universal adjustment of the bracket bodily in its own plane, and corresponding bodily adjustment of the roller carriers in the space between said supports, whereby the rollers in said carriers may be raised, lowered, shifted laterally and turned angularly, substantially as described.

9. A pipe-hanger device comprising a bridge member having ends adapted to be secured adjustably to a supporting structure, and having an upright medial web having on each face a serrated portion with extensions serrated upon at least two opposite sides to form hangers, said hangers being adapted to depend within a confined space below said bridge member, and a plurality of yoke members one having a serrated face to be engaged retcntively with one serrated face of said medial bridge region, and another of said yoke members having a serrated face to be engaged with an opposite serrated face of said bridge, each of said yokes being provided with a removable pipe-carrying roller; and fastening devices for said yokes by which each may be secured to a serrated face of said bridge adjustably in a vertical direction, independently of another.

10. A bridge member for a pipe-hanger of the class adapted to bridge the space between adjacent ties on a railroad track, said bridge cornprising plate-like ends adapted to lie fiat, each upon one of said ties, and having lengthwise slots to receive lag bolts or screws by which to secure said bridge adjustably lengthwise upon said ties; and an upright medial web intermediate said end plates and adapted to span a space between said ties, said upright web having a series of hangers depending therefrom into position to enter said space; each of said hangers having an upright slot with serrated margins, whereby said web is adapted to receive at one side a yoke member overlapping two adjacent hangers, and is adapted to receive at its other side a yoke member overlapping two adjacent hangers in staggered position; and means to secure said yoke members in vertically adjusted positions.

ll. A carrier member for a pipe-hanger of the claas adapted to serve as a transverse pipe carrier in a mechanical switch and/or signal operating system of a railway, said carrier member comprising a yoke-shaped body portion having a rplaniform web with bolt-receiving orices spaced apart and having their margins serrated at the rear face of said web, the arms of said yoke being transxed by a pin adapted to servc as a shaft or journal for a carrier-roller mounted rotatably between said arms, said carrier member being adapted for assembly with a bridge nember to be supported upon adjacent ties of sind railroad track, spanning the space between the'. ties.

SAMUEL P. HULL. JOHN J. CORCORAN. 

